Calendar of Events

Are you interested in trying a vegan diet with some help and support? If so, then sign up for the London Vegan Pledge.

Once you have been registered, you will be given joining instructions for two meetings at a venue in central London, one at the start of your pledge month on Sunday 12th May 2013, and one at the end of your vegan month on Sunday 9th June 2013.

This two-part “Introduction to Veganism” course includes: speakers, films, delicious vegan food, cookery demos, free recipe booklets and basic health and nutrition advice. At the first meeting you will also meet your vegan buddy who will support you during your month. All of this is completely free!

• Download flyer
• Download press release
• Register online

If you have any questions please feel free to get in touch via info@vegancampaigns.org.uk.

Details of the 2012 Vegan Pledge can be found here.

Vegan Campaigns promotes veganism, mainly in the London area. Among the activities that have already taken place are vegan food fairs, information evenings, veggie burger giveaways and street stalls. We also helped to organise the London Vegan Festival in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011, as well as the London Vegan Pledge.

We have occasional meetings in Central London, and also have an email list to inform about events and campaigns planned. To find out more, visit the rest of the site or contact us for more details to get involved.

See. Eat. Hear. FEEL VEGAN. Two days of vegan exploration await you. Nourish your taste buds on scrumptious plant-based food from New York’s famed vegan restaurants — the best in the world!

Get inspired by world-renowned speakers, champion athletes, and top chefs. Provoke new thoughts with award-winning films and their directors. Discover the vast market of cruelty-free products and services. And much more.

The Seed invites the vegan-curious, vegan-skeptical, and vegan choir to explore what we have to offer today. You’ll gain understanding of the endless benefits of a compassionate, healthful, and earth-conscious existence of the vegan & plant-based lifestyle.

Malibu, CA – March 18, 2013 –  American Tortoise Rescue (ATR) (www.tortoise.com), a nonprofit organization established in 1990 for the protection of all species of tortoise and turtle, is sponsoring its 13th annual World Turtle Day on May 23rd.  The day was created as an annual observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world.  Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson, founders of ATR, advocate humane treatment of all animals, including reptiles.  Since 1990, ATR has placed about 3,000 tortoises and turtles in caring homes.  ATR assists law enforcement when undersize or endangered turtles are confiscated and provides helpful information and referrals to persons with sick, neglected or abandoned turtles.

“World Turtle Day was started 13 years ago to increase respect and knowledge for the world’s oldest creatures.  These gentle animals have been around for about 200 million years, yet they are rapidly disappearing as a result of the exotic food industry, habitat destruction, global warming and the cruel pet trade,” says Tellem. “We are seeing smaller turtles coming into the rescue meaning that older adults are disappearing from the wild thanks to the pet trade, and the breeding stock is drastically reduced.  It is a very sad time for turtles and tortoises of the world.”  (See slide show here http://www.slideshare.net/tellem/where-have-all-the-turtles-gone.)

Tellem says, “We have heard from organizations throughout the world that are also hosting World Turtle Day, including India, Australia and many other countries.”

Tellem and Thompson note that experts predict the complete disappearance of one of the world’s oldest creatures within the next 50 years.  They recommend that adults and children do a few small things that can help to save turtles and tortoises for the next generation:

• Never buy a turtle or tortoise from a pet shop as it increases demand from the wild.
• Never remove turtles or tortoises from the wild unless they are sick or injured.
• If a tortoise is crossing a busy street, pick it up and send it in the same direction it was going – if you try to make it go back, it will turn right around again.
• Write letters to legislators asking them to keep sensitive habitat preserved or closed to off road vehicles, and to prevent off shore drilling that can lead to more endangered sea turtle deaths.
• Report cruelty or illegal sales of turtles and tortoises to your local animal control shelter.
• Report the sale of any turtle or tortoise of any kind less than four inches.  This is illegal throughout the U.S.

“Our ultimate goal is to stop the illegal trade in turtles and tortoises around the world.  Our first priority here in the U.S. is to stop pet stores and reptile shows from selling illegal hatchling tortoises and turtles,” says Thompson.  “We also need to educate people who are unfamiliar with their proper care about the real risk of contracting salmonella from turtles.  Schools and county fairs are no place for turtles. Wash your hands thoroughly every time you touch a turtle or its water, and do not bring turtles into homes where children are under the age of 12.”

For answers to questions and other information visit American Tortoise Rescue online atwww.tortoise.com or send e-mail to info@tortoise.com; on Twitter @tortoiserescue; “Like” American Tortoise Rescue at www.Facebook.com/AmericanTortoiseRescue; and join World Turtle Day on www.Facebook.com/WorldTurtleDay.

Suggested Tweet: #DidYouKnow World Turtle Day is May 23rd? @TortoiseRescue #turtle #tortoise

Animal experimentation kills untold millions of animals every year in the U.S. and across the world. Rats, mice, hamsters, rabbits, dogs, cats, monkeys, pigs, sheep, goats, fish, chickens, and many other animals die, often without even being counted. Their deaths pass without recognition except as statistics as part of experimental protocols.

We believe that it is time for their lives to be remembered and their deaths to be memorialized. Please join us along with activists worldwide for our fourth International Day of Mourning for Animals in Labs on Sunday May 26, 2013.

It is important for the animals, and for ourselves that we participate in this annual event. The animals MUST be remembered; we MUST give their deaths some meaning. And for those of us that are living, dealing with these millions of deaths on a daily basis — we NEED these events, too, for funerals are for the living. This event will remind all of us why we are working for the animals, and strengthen our resolve.

Please be a voice for these silent victims of animal experimentation! They deserve nothing less from us.

Remember, it is up to us to give meaning to the deaths of millions of animals. Please join us by organizing an event or attending one in your area!

Compassion Over Killing and VegRehoboth are excited to host this all-veg celebration in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The Rehoboth Beach VegFest celebrates how easy and delicious it is to choose vegetarian foods. This FREE outdoor festival highlights the community’s diverse range of animal-friendly cuisine and the many benefits of choosing plant-based foods. Featuring speakers, cooking demonstrations, free food samples, dozens of exhibitors, and area food vendors, the Rehoboth Beach VegFest has something for everyone to enjoy.

Compassion Over Killing (COK) is a national non-profit animal protection organization based in Washington, DC with a second office in Los Angeles. Working to end animal abuse since 1995, COK relies on a variety of strategies to expose cruelty to farmed animals and promote vegetarian eating as a way to build a kinder world for all animals. Compassion Over Killing is also the proud presenter of the DC VegFest, happening on Sat., Sept. 28 in Washington, DC. Visit COK.net to learn more about campaigns to run pro-veg ads on HULU.com, persuade companies to offer more vegan options, and more.

VegRehoboth is a social and outreach organization that provides connection and resources for the Vegetarian and Vegan community in Rehoboth Beach, DE and the surrounding areas. VegRehoboth is open to all—including those just curious! We welcome vegetarians and vegans, part-time vegetarians, flexitarians, and meat-eaters who want to cut back on meat and learn about healthier new ways of eating.

VegRehoboth hosts informal get-togethers at new or favorite restaurants, veg happy hours, veg film screenings, & more. We share friendship, good conversation, and great food! Visit us at VegRehoboth.com.

Cleveland VegFest promises to be a fun, educational event for the whole family! VegFest is planned for approximately 10 AM – 8 PM.

Plant-based eating and cruelty-free living has been shown to be:
~Healthy for the human body and mind
~The optimum way to ‘go green’ for the sustainability of our Earth
~Strongly connected to social justice and the alleviation of hunger worldwide
~The one truly compassionate choice for all living beings

Featuring many top national speakers and authors in their fields on issues of health, environmental sustainability, social justice, and animal rights, the Cleveland VegFest will be an opportunity to explore how choosing a whole, plant-based, vegan meal, directly impacts conditions in each of these critical areas.

LEARN!
WHAT is vegan
WHY does vegan matter
HOW to make vegan work

Plus…
What kind of impact does a vegan lifestyle have? ~ Where is the evidence?
How do I stay healthy without meat and dairy?
Why haven’t I been told this by my doctor? ~ How much does it cost to eat vegan?
How does what I do make a difference? ~ What does vegan taste like?
…and more!

TASTE!
HOW delicious vegan food can be…
Experience the flavorful, wholesome, and indulgent flavors which encompass vegan cuisine, as presented by some of the best culinary experts in our area… Cleveland’s favorite chefs, restaurants, and confectioneries will be featuring their best-selling vegan menu items.

Plus, national vendors will be showcasing a wide range of vegan products and resources.

EXPLORE!
WHAT effects the Standard American Diet has on our bodies
WHY westerners are dying of heart disease and cancer
WHO has convinced us that we need animal products to be healthy
HOW a vegan diet can greatly improve your health and turn around disease

MEET!
Local vegan groups who provide guidance, support, and opportunities to continue learning and share experiences.

Mad City Vegan Fest is an annual celebration of veganism filled with great food, inspiring speakers, awesome raffle prizes, and a host of vegan-minded exhibitors. The event is free and open to the public.

Whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian, or omnivore, Vegan Fest has delicious food samples and helpful information on how you can protect animals, the environment, and your health through vegan choices.

Mad City Vegan Fest is a project of Alliance for Animals, Wisconsin’s voice for animals since 1983 (address below).

Mad City Vegan Fest
Alliance for Animals
P.O. Box 1632
Madison, WI 53701

Our Mission Statement

• To highlight the ethical, environmental, and health benefits of a lifestyle free of all animal products (vegan).
• To provide a nonjudgmental, supportive, and fully inclusive environment for vegans and for those hoping to learn more about veganism.
• To demonstrate the accessibility of veganism by showcasing vegan products and organizations with an emphasis on local resources.
• To advocate compassion as the means by which to alleviate the suffering of humans and animals alike.

Established in 2011 by the “Our Planet. Theirs Too.” Foundation in New York City, The National Animal Rights Day (NARD) has become an annual tradition in the US. On this day, we remember, and give a voice to, the billions of animals who die by human hands in this country every year. We mourn their loss, reiterate their rights to live happy and free, and celebrate their existence in our lives.

The Third National Animal Rights Day — New York City
Sunday June 9, 12 noon – 5 pm,
North Plaza of Union Square

12:00 noon: A ceremony to commemorate the billions of animals who lose their lives every year by the hand of humanity, and signing the Declaration of Animal Rights!
12:30-1:30: A free, open-to-all, yoga class which will focus on generating compassion for all beings — humans and animals alike!
1:30-5:00: Yummy free vegan food, vegan fashion show, live music, drum circles, street theatre, face painting, Capoeira, and other attraction!

Please ‘join’ the event on our Facebook page

The Third National Animal Rights Day — Los Angeles
Sunday June 9, 12 noon – 5 pm,
Santa Monica beach, by the Pier

12:00 noon: A ceremony to commemorate the billions of animals who lose their lives every year by the hand of humanity, and signing the 50-foot long Declaration of Animal Rights!
12:30-1:30: A free, open-to-all, meditation session which will focus on generating compassion for all beings – humans and animals alike!
1:30-5:00: Yummy free vegan food, vegan fashion show, live music, kite flying, and other attraction!

Please ‘join’ the event on our Facebook page

The Karuna team has been very busy at work planning the first Long Island Animal Rights & VegFest. Within the event we will also be holding our second annual art show and auction. Many of you were involved in our art show and auction last year and your hard work and generosity allowed us to put together a beautiful and profoundly impactful event. We so hope you will each be involved again this year.

This year’s event is shaping up to be much larger, and will cover a very broad scope of topics, each pertaining to animal rights, veganism, compassion, loving-kindness, environmental issues and sustainability, and much more. The day will include live music performances, vegan cooking classes and demonstrations, expert guest speakers including Jenny Brown, co-founder of Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary, and Jennifer Greene, organizer of Vegan Long Island Meetup. As well kids and adult yoga classes, film screenings, including Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home and The Witness, both generously donated by the organization Tribe of Heart. As well as Dr. Will Tuttle’s new film, Conscious Eating: The Power of our Food Choices. In addition to our art show and auction, which will be going on throughout the day, there will be numerous exhibitors present, all of whom are dedicated to promoting animal rescue/welfare (adoptable animals will be present), promoting environmentally friendly products that are animal-free/vegan, promoting organic/vegan foods and sustainability, and promoting a holistic lifestyle.

So, suffice to say, we are very excited. And we need your help. We need our brilliantly talented artists and musicians to donate their work and time again. And we need volunteers to help us advertise as well as work the actual event. We need your good ideas and suggestions and input. We need you to exhibit your crafts, your artwork, your organizations, your stores, your books, your music, etc., etc. We need our community to come together for the community of all animals for which we seek liberation from pain and suffering.

For those of you who are local, we would like to schedule a meeting that will take place at Huntington Yoga & Wellness Studio in Huntington Village where we will discuss all the details and delegate lots of responsibilities. For our college student friends, please let us know when you will be back in town (for your winter break) so that we can try to accommodate your schedules and have you at the meeting. For those of you out of town but who still so generously donate and contribute, please be in touch by email confirming your involvement again this year. We are asking that all artwork and raffle contributions be to us by June 1st.

For those of you who have artist friends and family members, please pass this along to them. The more contributions of art, time, and talent we receive, the more sponsorships we get, the more exhibitors present, the more we stand to contribute to the animals in need. For those of you who are involved in organizations whose missions match our own, please put them in contact with us. It is time for the compassionate and passionate voices of activists on Long Island to join together and rise up in a peaceful song for the benefit of all living beings.

Thank you all for your time, for your hard work, for your care and compassion. Thank you for seeing and treating all others as you would yourself. Thank you for your courage to speak out against the injustices far too many living beings face each day. Thank you for recognizing the urgent need to do something, and most importantly, to do it with a smile; with compassion and love for all living beings no matter what form they may take. As always, we are humbled to work amongst you.

In peace and gratitude,
The Karuna Team

Life-Changing Summer Camp for Youth Making a Difference!

YEA Camp is a unique and inspiring leadership summer camp for youth 12-17 who care about community service, activism and social justice. A week-long sleep-away program in a beautiful camp location, YEA is designed to be a fun and transformative experience that builds life-long friendships between youth with similar interests. Our program also provides a meaningful opportunity for campers to learn more about some of the issues facing our planet and to get inspired and empowered to take action on those issues.

For more information, visit our website: www.yeacamp.org

When: July & August 2013, See website for session dates
Where: OR, CA and MA
Contact: info@yeacamp.org or 503-347-0223
Watch a two minute video about our program: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ4T15gx_UU

About Chicago VeganMania

Vegan culture and community have grown rapidly in the last few years. Not long ago, most people had never heard the word vegan. Vegans – people who live compassionately by not eating or wearing animals or products that come from animals – were basically invisible. We did much of our shopping in tiny health food co-ops, and our dining in a few carefully selected restaurants.

Now there are dozens of products with the word vegan gracing the fronts of the packaging in most supermarkets, and vegan options abound in dining establishments all over the place. Celebrities describe how their vegan diets give them their sexy bodies or protect them from heart disease, and the small but burgeoning vegan culture is moving from the fringes to middle America.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in Chicago. Famous as the “hog butcher to the world”, Chicago boasts more than a dozen exclusively vegan restaurants (and dozens more vegan-friendly ones), several local vegan food companies, and a rapidly growing community of herbivores.

Chicago VeganMania is a celebration of this dynamic new community. We bring together the vegan restaurants and food companies, leaders and entrepreneurs, doctors and chefs, businesses and organizations, singers and dancers, and we put them in one big place to show them all off to the world.

You certainly don’t have to be vegan to attend or enjoy Chicago VeganMania. You don’t even have to understand or care why people would adopt a vegan lifestyle. We just want you to have fun. Chicago VeganMania is basically a big friendly party, a festival where you can eat wonderful food, enjoy great music and lively entertainment, and have an opportunity to discover unique vegan products and learn the secrets of vegan chefs. There are even places where you can learn about the whys and hows of veganism is you’re so inclined.

Our first three celebrations exceeded everyone’s expectations, and this fall we’ll be back, bigger than ever. So stop by and prepare yourself for an exciting and wonderful day.

Our Vision, Mission and Values

Vision
Our Vision is to help create a world based on compassion, peace, and respect for all living things, where people live in radiant good health and have the full capacity to be active participants in all matters of government and commerce as well as their own livelihood, a world where everyone has a sincere appreciation for the interconnectedness of the entire web of life.

Mission
The Mission of Chicago VeganMania is to celebrate, unite, promote, and strengthen the diverse vegan culture, economy, and community of Chicago and beyond. We provide a platform and audience for vegan businesses, organizations, groups, and individuals through a series of innovative programs and events culminating in an exciting, inspirational, and fun annual weekend festival.

Values
We eschew the killing, injuring, enslavement, or exploitation of all people and all sentient creatures. The core human values of justice, equality, peace, freedom, and goodwill are consistent with and paramount to these vegan values, and we believe that all aggression and exploitation, even if committed by those who purport to hold our own standards, is not to be excused or tolerated.

We value the enterprise of those who choose to expand the vegan culture, economy, and community by launching new businesses, products, services, ideas, groups, and other forms of expression, and we are committed to helping them all expand their voices, their audiences, and their markets by offering them the platform and tools to achieve their goals.

We acknowledge and value the larger community, and we recognize that each of us is on our own path. We attempt to treat everyone’s path with respect and welcome while adhering to our core values. We invite everyone into our events, including those whose values are contrary to our own. We present our culture, economy and community in the spirit of sharing, with goodwill toward all, and respect for each person’s decision to embrace our values or not. Our position is above judgment, cajoling, ridicule, and bitter argument.

VegFest celebrates and promotes sustainable, compassionate and healthy food choices and lifestyles. This low-cost, educational, and fun event welcomes everyone. VegFest connects organizations, businesses and educators with the local public and each other.

Bring your own bag to collect samples and info! Souvenir cloth bags will be available for $3 each.

VegFest features:
• Free samples of hundreds of different foods!
• Delicious main dishes, decadent desserts and chocolates, fresh organic produce, veggie burgers, non-dairy cheeses, milks and ice creams; fruit smoothies and juices, hummus, whole grain breads and gluten-free crackers, tofu spreads and dips, nut and seed butters, energy bars and on-the-go snacks, raw snacks and treats, and so much more!
• Speakers
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Ask the Experts
• Family and Teen Activities
• Restaurants
• Non-Profit Organizations
• Film Screenings

Portland VegFest will need 400+ volunteers to make it an even greater success than last year. Want to help out with VegFest 2013? Please email Chelsea Davis.

The 16th annual Charlottesville Vegetarian Festival will be held on Saturday September 29th in Lee Park from 11 AM to 5 PM. The festival committee has been busy and we have a full line-up of exhibitors, food vendors, speakers, cooking demos, activities for kids, and of course live music throughout the day. All we need now to make it happen are energetic volunteers to help us on the day of the festival!

All food vendors must complete and submit the Application for Temporary Restaurant Permit to the Thomas Jefferson Health District . This form must be received by the Health District no later than September 19, 2012. Please also see the exhibitor rules that follow, and note the additional rules for food vendors. All food items sold at the Cville Vegetarian Fest must be vegetarian with vegan meals available.

Download the Vendor and Exhibitor Packet here.

For more information, please feel free to contact us by email at food@cvillevegfest.org or by phone at 434-295-3407. We hope that you are able to join us at the Festival!

VegfestUK London takes place over two days in October 2013, on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th, with the show open 11am — 7pm both days

• Up to 180 stalls
• Stalls on 2 floors
• Stacks of special offers and free tasters!
• Huge savings on leading brands
• Cookery Classes both days wiht special guest Chad Sarno
• Talks and Presentations — Nutrition, Lifestyle, Campaigns
• 2 Workshops areas
• Living Raw Prep Zone
• Performance Stage featuring special guest Macka B (Sunday)
• 2 x Cinemas
• Meet the Experts sessions
• Comedy Hours both days, with Dave Spikey & Andrew O’Neill
• VegfestUK Awards Presentation on Saturday
• Kids Cookery Classes and activities
• 12 specialist global Caterers plus Snack Bars & many other food stalls
• Licensed Bar
• Expected up to 10,000 visitors throughout the weekend
• Free Nutritional Advice for visitors
• Fun for all the family!
• Everything at the event is 100% plant based — no animal products permitted

VegfestUK London is organised by Tim Barford from Yaoh. Tim has been organising veggie events in the UK for  a decade now, and his first show was back in 2003 (The Bristol Vegan Fayre, which he founded) attracting around 1500 visitors. Tim organises VegfestUK Brighton in March and VegfestUK Bristol in May, whilst running his hemp company Yaoh.

In 2013 the 41st IVU World Vegfest will combine with the 6th Asian Veg Congress, hosted by the Malaysian Vegetarian Society.

The Malaysia Vegetarian Society is a non-profit, non-religious society aimed at promoting the benefits of vegetarianism for our health, our environment and a more compassionate world.

The society abides by the international definition of vegetarianism, namely, ‘Vegetarianism is the practice of living without the use of meat, fish, or fowl, with or without the addition of eggs and dairy products’.

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Kuala Lumpur is the federal capital and most populous city in Malaysia. The city covers an area of 243 km2 (94 sq mi) and has an estimated population of 1.6 million as of 2012. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 5.7 million as of 2010.